Start, Over, Again.

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to begin again.  I should just have a standard post that I use over and over.  Blogging is on again, off again.  I know I'm not the only one who has a good routine going, and then something happens, and I don't.  I don't think my life is very exciting and my thoughts are not that deep, but I think writing makes me happier, and a better person in some ways.  I think keeping a record is important.  It helps me process events and feelings.  I learn when I take time to reflect.  (I think my memory is slipping too.  I'll be able to check back.)

So I think I'll get my camera out again, find some time (maybe on Sunday), and start, over, again.

Grandkids - Week 8

Last week's projects and camping did me in.  This week we went for easy.  We had to pick them up in time to make it back to the dollar movies at 10:00 AM.  I thought they would go for a cartoon, but Hudson pressured all of them into Dolphin Tale 2.  There weren't many of us in the theater so even though they wandered around a bit, they didn't bother anyone.

Our next stop was lunch at McDonalds and an hour to play on their playground.  We came home for popsicles, and then, instead of making anything, we had a simple rocket activity.  I had found film containers and we stopped at Rite Aid for a 36 pack of Alka Seltzer.  You fill the containers halfway with water, add 1/2 a tablet, and put them on the ground with the cap side down.  It takes 10-15 seconds before they shoot way up in the air.  We went over to Alex's park to shoot off rockets for about 45 minutes.  They had a great time.

And we picked the peas.  Everyone tried them, but nobody liked them.  It was fun though.

Teaching 4 Year Olds - 2nd try

I worked really hard getting all kinds of things prepared for my primary lesson this week.  I had songs, games, activities, pictures, object lessons, my laptop, treats, and more.  I went in early to set everything up and had a complete game plan with back up plans too.  When I went into opening exercises only 4 of the 9 were there.  It was all easy.  

I'm sure I still don't have things in control.  When they all return from summer vacations I better be ready.  I think I'll contact all their parents this week, and send the kids letters.  

5th Annual Family Camp Out

Terry and I weren't working and Mike had Friday off, so we made a plan to meet early at the Visitors Center in Idaho City.  The grandkids impressed us by showing up with real shoes on - no flipflops.  It was a camping first.  We broke out the walking sticks we made on Tuesday and I presented them each with a backpack I made for them, and we headed out to the pioneer cemetery.  It was pioneer day, back in Utah, and we wanted to talk a little about our own pioneer ancestors as we hiked around.  

How cute is Brynks!  She borrowed a bandana from one of the kids backpacks.

Maycee was by far the award winning hiker.

Everyone worked up an appetite and Stace had brought a picnic lunch, so we looked around until we found one of the public parks in Idaho City.  It was a great spot.  After lunch the girls put on a performance on the stage, and Hudson found a frog in the creek.

After lunch we made our way to the Grayback Gulch campground and set up tents.  Brent and Krystle came up with Bry and Isaac at about 5:00.  It was time for a good dinner, walkie- talkies, a treasure hunt, and then a fire and s'mores.  Krystle wasn't feeling well, which we're happy about because it means there will be another grandkid camping with us next year, but for this year, they didn't stay the night.  Stace spent the night in their Pilot with Brynklee, Terry and I had our tent, and the guys were with all the kids in a big tent, that suddenly didn't feel so roomy.

  

The McClures had a party to go to in Boise so after breakfast they had to pack up and head for the showers.  We went back into Idaho City with Bry and Isaac to kick around some shops, visit the museum, eat huckleberry ice cream, and watch a shoot-out on Main Street.

It was only one night, but we packed in the fun.  Next year we'll have one more camper and maybe we can stretch things out for one more night.

Grandkids - Week 7

This weekend we're going on our 5th annual family camp out!  We spent this day with the grandkids getting ready.

Putting our heads into the sleeping bags.

Building candy campfires.

Huds using a real saw for the first time.

Hads was the only one that cut her own feathers.

He did go home with all his fingers and toes.

Hard work rewarded with popsicles.

Finished cake.  We hardly had room at our campsite, but we all fit around the two campfires.

• First, we went to Marianne Williamson Park and took a hike along the river hunting for good walking sticks.
• Lunch was at our house which meant plenty of pickles, cucumbers, and fruit, plus popsicles for dessert.
• I had a plan for a special camp cake this year, so the kids helped make cake decorations.  They formed evergreens out of green Rice Krispie things made with Special K.  Then we needed all of our faces decorated and our sleeping bags frosted.
• We went on the patio to wrap the handles of our walking sticks with yarn and decorate them with felt feathers and beads.  We made an extra one for I-guy.
• On the way home we sang songs and played I Spy.  

Now we're all excited for Friday morning when our camp adventure begins!

New Church Calling

I've been asked to teach the 4 year olds at church and today was my first lesson.  There are 9 pretty active kids, and I'm not sure that I know how to communicate with 4 year olds.  I made one girl cry because I wouldn't let her sit in the window.  The rest of them were pretty sad that I hurt her feelings.  I only got through a little of the planned lesson.  We did go out and bury our swords like the ancient Book of Mormon warriors.  They really didn't want to leave them there.  They wanted to take them home and be destructive, but the lesson was on being accountable and keeping your promises.  It was a little rocky today.  I'm going to have to figure something out for next week.  

Hyde Park

My friend Mary and I got together for lunch, shopping, and talking yesterday.  The weather was perfect to eat outside.  I added another new restaurant to my list for the summer, 13th Street Bistro (owned by Chef Peter Schotts). We had a leisurely lunch and caught up.  The big news was that Mary is going to teach a reading class for elementary teacher candidates this fall for Boise State.  She's pretty excited to be a adjunct professor.

I think it's been almost a decade since I've been to Hyde Park.  We browsed through an antique store where the owner had a Harley parked out front with a special seat for his white Scottie dog that we met.  They're heading out tomorrow for a trip to Montana.

Then we went through Hyde and Seek, a store with everything that I love.  I want everything for my house, or maybe I could just live there, or work there.  The next store use to be called One Thousand Villages, but now I don't the name.  It benefits refugees and villages all around the world.  They had a lot of tempting things too.

We skipped Goodies (ice cream and candy) so that means we'll have to make a return trip. Can't wait!